Airstone And Powerhead Questions

[FTM22]

So I've been reading some conflicting information on whether you need an airstone if your filter produces surface movement. My filter in my 40g produces some surface movement but not a ton. None of my fish are ever gasping for air, but I'm still worried that maybe I should get an airstone.
 
Also, what are the benefits of a powerhead because I'm not sure they're worth the money? Would one be necessary in a planted 40g with neon tetras, harleys, kuhlis, german blue rams, and otos?

 

[Ninjouzata]

If your filter is causing enough surface agitation you shouldn't need an airstone and certainly not a powerhead. IIRC the rams don't like much flow anyways. I think in high-tech setups sometimes powerheads are used for better flow but not sure.
If your fish are fine then you don't need to add the airstone but you can if it will give you peace of mind..I like the way the bubbles look :3

 

[FTM22]

Thank you and if it's not necessary I'll pass just to save some money.

 

[nigsy]

If your fish aren't gasping at the surface then you should be fine. You only need ripples on the surface to help with the oxygen levels.
 
I have a power head in my tank on a timer it comes on for 2 hours a day; but that's because the internal filter outlet never made any impact on the surface and my fish were suffocating.
 
I have another one running 24/7 in my dannio tank to mirror a fast flowing stream.

 

[FingersofFish]

I'm pretty new here, but as far as I know as long as your surface water ripples you're fine. However airstones look very nice and a small airpump like the TetraTec APS 150 is fairly quiet and perfectly sufficient for running a 1 inch airstone even in larger tanks (I have one powering airstone in 18G tank and if i turn it up to max it pumps out a rediculous amount of bubbles)
 
I also have a 660 l/pH powerhead running 24/7 in my tank to provide movement of nutrients around plants which seems to help a lot with their growth.

 

[FTM22]

Thank you all! Well the airstone isn't an issue then, but I may get a powerhead for my plants' sake.